Britney's Post-Partum Struggle

TMZ has learned Britney Spears' troubles may have little to do with substance abuse. Sources say doctors at her rehab facility think the underlying reason for her trouble may be post-partum depression.

Sources tell TMZ that Britney's doctors have two operating theories -- either that she suffers from post-partum depression or bipolar disorder. The doctors strongly believe post-partum is the problem.

As for substance abuse, as one source says, "No doubt about it - she likes to drink." But doctors believe the drinking is a way Spears has coped with a bigger problem.

We're told Britney, who is sticking it out at the Promises rehab facility in Malibu, is currently reading Brooke Shields' book, "Down Came the Rain," in which Shields reveals her battle with post-partum depression.

We're told doctors believe Spears' problem is complicated by an intense feeling on her part that she has lost control of her life.



Filed under: Britney Spears

Reader Comments

(Page 26 of 26)Previous 15 Comments

376. I can't believe how so many people can be so ignorant about PPD and depression.

In this day and age people should be informed and wiser about these illnesses.

Posted at 1:59PM on Mar 5th 2007 by DW

377. We are all humans and L.O.V.E Gossip. I just think is time to leave her alone and stop pointing fingers at her. Who are we to judge on her mistakes? We've have our own little secrets don't we??? So let's leave her alone, let her be, she will be fine. Pray for her kids to be safe and have lots of L.O.V.E.

SAGITARIUS RULES!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 5:46PM on Mar 5th 2007 by Vanessa

378. Having Bipolar in my family, I think Britney is suffering from it, and it is just complicated by her excessive drug use.

Posted at 7:08PM on Mar 5th 2007 by mom

379. She was going crazy back when she got marrried in Vegas. That is when things started to get out of control. It's a shame she had to drag kids into her abnormal life.

Posted at 9:37PM on Mar 5th 2007 by K

380. Ok PPD is so real for most allll women who especially have babies close together. I have 2 girls one was born Dec 29th of 03 and then my other was born Dec 22 05 and I suffered bad with my 2nd one. I would get mad so easily and until I got on medicine I still had problems. I think that celebritys get the worst end of all this because they are in the public eye and people seem to think just because they are famous they don't have problems but NEWS FLASH they are human just like us. They just chose a different career path because they had talent. You can have alllllll the money in the world but that doesn't cure your problems. I think she will be okay because I know she loves her kids she is in a good place and I think reading Brooke Shields book will give her a good sense of what is to come next!!

Posted at 11:10AM on Mar 6th 2007 by Amanda

381. Oh and guys don't even try to comment on this. You don't have the babies you don't have our hormones and you can't even begin to experience what we go through before, during, and after having babies. My husband still to this day thinks what we go through is soooooooooo easy.

Posted at 11:10AM on Mar 6th 2007 by Amanda

382. BRITNEY, CAN HANDLE AND DEAL WITH ALL THIS. CAN U..?

Posted at 12:47PM on Mar 6th 2007 by J MARIE

383. i'm very serious when i say this...Britney needs a neurological examination. Her inability to differentiate between what is socially acceptable and what is not is fastly deterioating...the brain is wired to regulate impulse control but Britneys seems to have lost the ability to filter this..her judgement is severly corrupted..and i don't believe this is a drug or alcohol problem....if the accounts of her frequently and often uncontrolable vomitting are valid..then perhaps it shouldn't be attributed to drinking and drugs but a neurological problem....post partum has similar symptoms..but this presents differently..get this girl help immeadiately.

Posted at 3:25PM on Mar 6th 2007 by gail

384. I do feel sorry for her. When I first saw her partying out of control right after she had her 2nd son and then the flight alone from east to west followed by the head shave----My immediate response was - she's definitely suffering with some Post Partum (insanity as I called it) Having suffered myself I did some strange things like bleach my hair white and cut most of it off (not quite Kojack) The reaction was not immediate. My episode came to fruition about 5 months after my 3rd was born. She is definitely in the right place and with time, therapy (its necessary) nutrition, rest and possible medication (depends how severe) And Reading Brooke Sheilds book made it all clearer what I went through and that I wasn't alone. Good Luck Brit- I'll be praying for you

Posted at 7:58PM on Mar 6th 2007 by Melissa

385. BRITNEY, CAN DEAL WITH ALL THIS. ..CAN U ???

Posted at 11:11PM on Mar 6th 2007 by J MARIE

386. Oh have the "Mighty" have fallen! Hope you like the taste of Karma because there's more on its way for what you did to Justin and Shar and unleashing your god awful singing onto the world!!! I wouldn't be surprised if k-fag gets custody of your kids, your just putting your lil boys on a silver platter for him. I hope to god this ruins your "singing" career for good and let the real talented singers get the spotlight!=)

Posted at 3:55AM on Mar 7th 2007 by Angel of Truth

387. Wait a minute? Britney claims she has PPD right?, so why does she have to go to rehab? I SMELL BULLSHIT!!! You have to talk to a counselor and be put on anti-depressants thats how its done right? If any woman had or has PPD please explain it to me cause I really don't see rehab helping with her "PPD"

Posted at 4:12AM on Mar 7th 2007 by Angel of Truth

388. Video of Britney!!!

Posted at 5:57AM on Mar 7th 2007 by Angel of Truth

389. How can any of you sit here and act as if you know what she is going through? Her lifestyle is something that you or I could never understand.

Posted at 10:24PM on Mar 7th 2007 by lilpixie

390. Britney wasn't suffering from PPD when she took KFed, someone she barely knew, to Europe with her, with no regard to the fact he had a pregnant girlfriend, nor when she filmed her trashy behavior with him and had it televised for all to view. Britney expressed the desire to be a young mother and "be at home with her kids. not leaving them with nannies." Too bad that her own mother didn't tell her what a hard job mothering is and that it is a 24 hour a day job, not something you just use for a magazine layout or photo opt. Britney said ,"I am tired of people touching me" while shaving her own head, then promptly went to a tatoo parlor and had 2 tatoos done, while glancing at the window to be sure the pictures were being snapped. Britney has been her family's meal ticket, and obviously no one has had the nerve to pull the reins in on her and stop her from ruining her own life and those of her babies.

Posted at 1:40AM on Mar 22nd 2007 by PDPulaB

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